HOME STAGING APPOINTMENT THAT MOVED INTO RE-DESIGN

Yay, for you Mary Lou.  I was wondering what you were up to.  The pricing is tricky isn't it?  I have run into that trouble a lot.  It's a good thing that we love what we do!  I would probably price by the job, and end up putting way more hours than I intended into it.  Good luck and add some pics soon.

I would break it down. By the hour for shopping since you don't know how long it will take. Give a quote for redesign and installation for each room. That way your client can do it as her budget allows.

We charge an hourly rate for shopping.  If the client feels it is too expensive, I will give them a "list" and advise where to shop and ask them to get several choices as some may not "work".  They are responsible for returning the items as well.  Usually this is so overwhelming they would rather pay us to shop!  If I can combine shopping for clients with shopping that I do for myself, I do offer a discount.

Mary Lou: welcome to the club.  Each project is different and presents new challenges, especially when it comes to pricing.  I did a consultation recently but we (my client and her husband) ended up doing a lot of the items I'd recomended while I was there.  It turned out to be a lot easier with his help, and the situation just evolved into it.  I agree with the others that you have to try to place an hourly charge for shopping services but we can offer discounts, etc if we're not having to make special trips just for their items.  I guess then you have to decide how to price your redesign service, eg. by the room.

I have struggled with this also.  Next time I plan to shop by the hour, but ask them for a budget limit on both the time and items, so that there are fewer surprises.

You are a girl after my own heart!  My favorite way to shop is to spend someone else's money!  Ha!  I charge an hourly fee for personal shopping and am pretty fair about it - it isn't my fault that I feel the need to comparison shop all over town to get the best deal.  I also will never be a rich stager!  LOL!!  I wish yo the best of luck and would love to see pictures of the redesign!

Mary Lou,

Can't wait to see pictures of the final product. 

I'm new to staging and you have brought some great points.  Living so close to a major shopping mall, whatever I charge for my shopping service will be more than enough to cover time and travels. Plus, shopping with someone else's money makes it all worth while. :-)